The quest for 629-4's

[The Gila Bender]

My desire for -4's is driven by my first .44, a 1994 29-6 Classic, and a sweet 1996 686-4, both round butt models. After a years-long nationwide search I acquired a pair of garden-variety 1994 629-4's, SB and RB, within a few weeks of each other just before the 2020 pandemic. Dash 4 owners who know what they have tend to hold onto them. I also have a 1993 629-3 Classic 5" and a 1995 629-4 Mountain Gun. The 29C ("Big Blue"), 686-4, 629-4's, and my 29-5 Magna Classic pictured. Can you tell that I am a big fan of mid-1990s L and N frames?

 

[jrc1]

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[wcat94]

Nice collection gila bender. Did S&W use the same serial # sequence for both stainless and blue n frames? For example say a blue 29-5 has a prefix of bxx and a 629-4 has a bxx prefix, would they have been made around the same time?

 

[AKtinman]

Last week my LGS had a 629-4 Magnum Hunter + 7.5" priced around $1500.

I can pass along contact info to anyone that might be interested.

Other than having been a customer of this shop for the past 11 years, I have no professional or other connections with them that would benefit me financially.

 

[629shooter]

Here's a 629-4 "Avenger" product code 170058, one of 151.

I like that. The Avenger would be a grail gun for me.

There are a couple more 3" -4s that are scarce. The Trail Boss, and the Backpacker.

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[wcat94]

The backpacker was the 1st 629-4 for me. Another interesting 3" is the classic carry full lug non-fluted code 103600.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Did S&W use the same serial # sequence for both stainless and blue n frames?

Good question. IMO the answer is "yes." I sorted my spreadsheet and found that all of my "B" prefix J, L, and N frames range from 1990 to 1995. 75% are stainless and 25% are blue. I have two 686-4's with "CAT" and CAZ" prefixes, both 1996.

 

[grip frame]

No such revolver was ever made, a 629-4 Classic DX in 5".

Also, the 29-5 was in production the same time as the 629-3.

29-6 and 629-4 were in production at the same time.

 

[jack the toad]

I have a -4 MG and agree that its my favorite followed by 5".
There's a -4 MG listed in classifieds if interested?
Good luck with search and keep us posted.

 

[wcat94]

The latest 629-4 was quick to sight in and I am quite happy with it!

 

[LostintheOzone]

I looked into this at one point. Seems the -4 might be the hardest to find. That's the model that S&W started drilling and tapping for scopes although mounts for dots are also out there. DX would be on my must have list if I were collecting -4's.

 

[Engine49guy]

The 629-3 frame was also drilled and tapped.
The 629-3 had flash chromed hammer trigger vs case color but the rear site unit is unique to that revision,
the 629-2 has the old style rear site the 629-3 has a rounded unit but it's longer than the 629-4 and higher revisions.

 

[RoyM52]

Not all 629-3 were drilled and taped. Mine is not, but the neighbors is. Both are designated as 629-3.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Not all 629-3 were drilled and taped. Mine is not, but the neighbors is. Both are designated as 629-3.

I think it became standard on the -4. That's what I was referring to. No doubt a few of the Classic -3's were scope ready from the factory.

 

[Engine49guy]

My only 629-3 is a 4" Mountain gun and it is drilled / tapped which makes no sense.
Had a 5" 629-3 classic with full underlug barrel that my friend talked me out of that was also D/T.

 

[daveyc]

I have a 629-3 Classic Hunter with unfluted cylinder that has both a square butt and not drilled tapped.

 

[daveyc]

Dont miss out on the 29-6 Classics. they are "sister" guns of the 629-4. Mine is fantastic.

 

[DR505]

I've only got one 629-4...great revolver though.

 

[wcat94]

DR505
That is a nice one! It seems those are less common, I never see a 4" other than the mountain gun up for sale. Maybe people just hang on to them. Has the trigger been changed on that?

 

[DR505]

DR505
That is a nice one! It seems those are less common, I never see a 4" other than the mountain gun up for sale. Maybe people just hang on to them. Has the trigger been changed on that?

As for the trigger, I don't know if that was original or later addition. I bought it like that from a board member here (except I added the Ahrend's stocks). It had an undisclosed push-off issue, so I wasn't happy about that, but S&W repaired it for free (free shipping too).

Makes a dandy elk hunting accessory.